Signaling device



1, 1956 A. J. HELD SIGNALING DEVICE Filed July 28, 1954 INVENTOR. ALOYS J HELD A TORNEY SIGNALING DEVICE Aloys J. Held, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to Robert J. Slavsky, Detroit, Mich.

Application July 28, 1954, Serial No. 446,316

' 8 Claims. (Cl. 340 321 The present invention pertains to a novel signaling system involving the use of an illuminated body held in the hand. The device disclosed herein has a wider color range than the usual trafiic baton and is therefore adaptable to a more complete signaling code. The device is capable of flashing a variety of signals greater than the usual stop and go and is therefore useful on airports, aircraft carriers, military areas, and the like.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a device that may readily be attached to a conventional flashlight and manually adjusted for color. Another object is to provide a relatively simple and inexpensive construction for this purpose.

In the accomplishment of these objects, the lens of a conventional flashlight is replaced by an assembly including a color disk which is non-rotatably secured. On the outer surface of the disk is rotatably mounted a blade in such manner that one end thereof rests against the disk. The disk may be divided into an even number of sectors, diametrically opposite sectors being similarly colored and successive sectors being differently colored. One pair of opposite sectors may be left clear. Thus, the end of the blade lying diametrically on the disk and properly adjusted, overlies a pair of similarly colored or clear sectors The blade is made of a suitable transparent material, such as Lucite and/ or Plexiglas, or other suitable plastic, and is frosted or roughened over its entire surface except at the tip. When illuminated, this member glows with light except at the tip which is of a sharper illumination when directed toward the observer. The blade may take various forms as further described herein.

The invention is fully disclosed by way of example it the following description and in the accompanying draw ings in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the device, part1; in elevation;

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a similar section of a modification;

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a detail elevation of the blade at right angles to Figure 1;

Figure 6 is an elevation of a modified blade;

Figure 7 is an elevation of another form of blade;

Figure 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is an elevation of still another form of blade, and

Figure 10 is an elevation on the line 10-10 of Figure 9.

In Figure 1 are shown parts of a conventional flashlight including a tubular housing 1, cells 2, a reflector and bulb socket 3, and a bulb 4. A lens collar 5 is screwed on the upper, open end of the housing 1, and the usual lens has been removed. Further, a finger switch 6 operating in the usual manner is mounted on the housing 1.

The novel assembly is held by the flange 7 of the cap 5. This assembly secures a transparent disk 8 of plastic or other suitable material divided into equal sectors 9. In the example shown, eight such sectors are formed,

nited States Patent 0 2,760,185 Patented Aug. 21, 1956 ice opposite sectors being similarly colored and successive sectors being diflerently colored. This arrangement provides for one pair of clear or uncolored sectors and one pair each of red, green and amber. Such an arrangement is merely illustrative, and other color schemes may be provided as desired.

On the disk 8 is rotatably mounted, by means of a screw or pin 10, a smaller concentric clear disk 11 and a split opaque disk 12 secured thereon. The disk 12 provides a diametrical notch 13 and consists in fact of two nearly semi-circular segments spaced apart at their chords. {In the notch 13 is inserted the lower end of a blade 14 also held by the member 10.

The blade also consists of a transparent material such as clear Lucite or other plastic that is not easily broken. It is made translucent by any known means, preferably by frosting or roughening over its entire surface, except at the tip 15.

The disk 8 is held fixedly by the flange 7 of the cap 5, and the assembly 12-14 may be rotatably adjusted thereon. Thus, the lower edge of the blade 14 may be placed over the opposed clear sectors or over any pair of like colored sectors. The clear light or colored light, when the switch 6 is closed, glows over the surface of the blade and may be seen more brilliantly in a direct view on the smooth or polished tip 15.

The clear and colored lights are definite signals visible from a substantial distance. They may be incorporated in a night signaling system on landing fields, aircraft carriers, battle areas and the like, selected by rotary adjustment of the assembly 11-14 in the manner described.

In another embodiment of the invention, the color disk may consist of an opaque member 16 having circular lenses 17, clear and colored, inserted therein in the arrangement previously described, as shown in Figure 3.

The illuminated blade may take various forms. In Figure 6 the blade 20 has parallel longitudinal edges 21 as distinguished from the tapered form shown in Figure 5. In Figure 7 the blade 22 likewise has parallel longitudinal edges 23 and is grooved at 24 on both larger surfaces to accent the light. These grooves may be polished if desired for a still sharper accent. The blade may have crosswise parallel grooves, of increasing depth as they approach tip of the blade.

In Figure 9 the blade 25 carries at its upper end two spaced parallel disks 26 of the same material, and the tip 27 between the disks is polished as in all the previous examples for the purpose described.

In all embodiments of the invention, it is preferable that the flare piece consisting of the blade and disk assembly be detachable from the housing 1, as by screwing cap 5, so that the device may be more easily carried in the pocket when not in use. All transparent parts are pref erably made of a non-brittle material to reduce breakage.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various alterations in the details of construction will be made without departing from the scope of the invention as indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A signalling device comprising a flashlight housing and a bulb, a light-transmitting multi-colored disk fixed over said bulb, and a translucent elongated member rotatably mounted on said disk with one end in contact with said disk, said disk having differently colored areas adapted for engagement selectively by said end.

2. A signalling device comprising a flashlight housing and a bulb, a light-transmitting multi-colored disk fixed over said bulb, a translucent spaced disk rotatably mounted on the first disk, a diametrically notched opaque disk secured on the spaced disk, and a translucent elongated member having one end secured in the notch of said opaque disk, the first diskhaving differently colored areas adapted for engagement selectively by said end.

3. A signalling device comprising a flashlight housing and-a bulb, a light-transmitting multi-colored disk fixed over said bulb, diametrically opposed areas of said disk being similarly colored and successive areas being differently colored, and a translucent elongated: member rotatably mounted on said disk with one end in contact with said disk.

4. A signalling device comprising a flashlight housing and a bulb, a light-transmitting multi-colored disk fixed over said bulb, said disk being divided into an even number of sectors, diametrically opposed sectors being similarly colored and successive sectors being differently colored, and a translucent elongated member rotatably mounted on said disk with one endin contact with said disk.

5. A signalling device comprising a flashlight housing and a bulb, a disk fixed v over said bulb, an even, number of light-transmitting lenses inserted in said disk, diametrically opposed lenses being similarly colored and successive lenses being diiferently colored, and a translucent elongated member rotatably mounted on said disk with one end in contact with said disk.

6. A signalling device comprising a flashlight housing and a bulb, a light-transmitting multi-colored disk fixed over said bulb, a translucent spaced disk rotatably mounted on the first disk, a diametrically notched opaque disk secured on the spaced disk, and a translucent elongated blade having one end secured in the notch of said opaque disk.

7. A signalling device comprising a flashlight housing and a bulb, a light-transmitting multi-colored disk fixed over said bulb, a translucent elongated blade rotatably mounted on said diskwith one end in contact with said disk, said blade having longitudinal and crosswise parallel grooves of increasing depth in its larger surfaces.

8. A signalling device comprising a flashlight housing and a bulb, a light-transmitting multi-colored disk fixed over said bulb, a translucent spaced disk rotatably mounted on the first disk, a diametrically notched opaque disk secured on the spaced disk, and a translucent elongated blade having one end secured in the notch of said opaque disk, said blade having longitudinal grooves in its larger surfaces.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,251,920 Deicken Aug. 12, 1941 2,362,131 Hagg'art Nov. 7, 1944 2,431,091 Thomas Nov. 18, 1947 

